FAQ section

• What are your opening hours?

We are open every day, from Monday to Sunday, between 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM

• What time should I arrive for my activity?

Activities take place in two daily sessions, at 9:30 AM and 1:30 PM, each lasting approximately 2 hours.

We kindly ask you to arrive at least 15 minutes early to complete check-in and registration procedures. Each session begins with a safety briefing, and motorised activities include a test drive.

The actual departure into the reserve is at 10:00 AM for the morning session and 2:00 PM for the afternoon. The 15 km quad or buggy trail takes approximately 1.5 hours.

For the 4x4 Safari, the briefing also starts at 9:30 AM or 1:30 PM, with the vehicle usually setting off around 9:45 AM or 1:45 PM, following an introduction to the route and the safety rules to follow.

• What payment methods do you accept?

Cash (Mauritius Rupees only - MUR)

Debit/credit cards (excluding Diners Club and American Express)

Mobile payments: Juice by MCB, Pop, Blink

• Do you accept foreign currency?

No. Cash payments must be made in Mauritian Rupees only.

• What activities are available?

Bel Ombre Nature Reserve offers a variety of immersive outdoor experiences:

Guided Trek (2 hours) - A walk through private forestland (outside the UNESCO biosphere) with insights into local flora and fauna. Includes a waterfall stop, with swimming possible depending on weather.

4x4 Safari (2 hours) - A scenic ride through valleys and waterfalls, with a swim stop when conditions allow.

Quad & Buggy Tour (15 km round trip) - A 1.5-hour ride through the reserve along the historic trails of Frédérica, with a possible stop at the waterfall depending on weather conditions.

Picnic Pod - A secluded picnic area accessible on foot, including snacks, drinks, and games. This experience is available only as part of the Bel Ombre Wilderness Tour package, which includes a 1-hour guided walk, or on special request for groups and team-building activities.

Bay2Bay Tour - A guided tour by minibus with 11 key stops, unveiling the heritage, landscapes and stories of the island's unspoilt south, Available Monday to Saturday.

Important: Swimming at the waterfall depends on recent weather and is at the discretion of the guide. No compensation will be offered if swimming is not permitted.

• Do you offer combo packages?

Yes. We offer three curated packages that showcase the best of Bel Ombre through nature, culture, and local flavours:

The Authentic Bel Ombre

Experience the richness of Bel Ombre with a scenic Bay2Bay shuttle tour (from Baie de Jacotet to Baie de Macondé), a traditional Mauritian lunch at Kaz’alala (20% off à la carte), and an immersive visit to the World of Seashells.

Bel Ombre Wilderness Tour

Enjoy a 1-hour guided walk through the reserve, with scenic stops including the historic chimney and the Frédérica waterfall, followed by a peaceful picnic in our Picnic Pod set in nature.

Bel Ombre Off the Track

Embark on a quad adventure through the reserve’s rugged terrain, enjoy an authentic lunch at Kaz’alala (20% off), and end your day with a cultural journey at the World of Seashells—a perfect mix of thrill and discovery.

• Where can I have lunch?

Lunch is served within Bel Ombre Nature Reserve as part of the Bel Ombre Wilderness Tour package, which includes a 1-hour guided walk followed by a picnic at our Picnic Pod. Enjoy snacks, refreshing drinks and traditional games in a peaceful natural setting.

At Kaz’alala, our partner restaurant located just minutes from the reserve, where you’ll enjoy 20% off the à la carte menu when booking the Bel Ombre Off the Track package.

• Are drinks and snacks available on site?

Yes. Soft drinks, water, and coffee are available before or after the activities. Bottled water is provided during treks, safaris, and quad/buggy outings.

• Should I book in advance?

Yes, advance booking is highly recommended for all activities. The Picnic Pod is only available as part of the Bel Ombre Wilderness package or upon special request for group or team-building bookings.

• Can I bring my own quad bike?

Unfortunately, you are not allowed to do so. Our tours are conducted on our private lands, and we are not insured for people seeking to ride their own bikes.

• What are age requirements?

 4×4 Safari: Ages 3 and up

Trekking: From age 10

Double Quad: Driver must be 18+, passenger from 12 years

Buggy: Driver must be 18+, passenger from 5 years

• Do I need a driver’s license?

A licence is not mandatory but is recommended. A driving test is conducted before departure.

• How do you identify and provide for people with specific needs?

Depending on the clients' concerns, we always offer the clients the opportunity to ride the bike themselves. To do this, we have developed a procedure whereby, clients will do a test drive to provide them with an opportunity to develop confidence, and/or demonstrate that they can handle the bike (noting that safety comes first). Our guides provide a personal induction and ‘one on one’ time with the client and following the client’s brief riding demonstration, our guides will make an educated assessment on their ability. If for any reason, the Guide (or the client) determines that they are unable to ride the vehicle alone, then you will be provided with other options.

Disability Riders / Youth and Elderly: We may provide additional guide to drive for them, or they can share the quad of the Tour Leader.

• Do you operate in all weather?

Yes, we do. Come hail or shine, we operate all year round. Tours may be cancelled during bad weather.

If your tour is cancelled, we will contact you to make another arrangement.

This being said, if we cancel and you can't make another time, we'll offer you a FULL REFUND.

• I have never ridden a quad bike before. Can I still go on a tour?

Everyone receives a bike familiarisation and clear instructions before they set off on the adventure. All riders must do a test drive before they set off on the tour. In the event that the guide notices that a customer is not comfortable with the quad, the customer will be provided with other options.

• Are quad and buggy activities safe?

Yes. A full safety briefing is provided before each ride. Guests are required to follow the guide’s instructions and recommendations throughout the activity. Failure to comply with safety rules may result in immediate removal from the experience.

• What makes you different to other ATV operators?

We are the ONLY Quad Bike operator that has exclusive access to the Largest Nature Reserve within this magnificent landscape! Bel Ombre Nature Reserve lies in some 1,300 hectares of pristine vegetation and breathtaking views. We are committed to providing all customers the knowledge on the ecology of Bel Ombre. Our Nature reserve offers memorable experiences that are educational, fun, entertaining, while promoting life-long learning (flora, fauna, history, conservation).

• Where does the tour go?

Depending on the tour you choose, you will cover up to anything between 20kms of riding. During the drive, you will get to admire stunning views and a variety of endemic fauna and flora. You may also be able to swim at one of the two waterfalls, depending on the activity done.

• Do we need to go with a guide, or can we just ride on our own?

All our activities are guided as Bel Ombre Nature Reserve lies in some 1,300 hectares of pristine vegetation and breathtaking views. We are guardians of this reserve and its unique fauna and flora; as such we need to ensure that all visitors are well briefed before and during their activities. We shall show you the best spots, while telling you about our the south's history, culture and nature.

• What if it's raining?

Weather does not affect the departure of our tours as the quad bikes perform equally well in wet or dry conditions. We do provide raincoats in case of rain. However severe rainfalls or flash flood may result in cancellation of the tour.

• How many people are in each group/depart?

We operate a maximum of 6 bikes for 1 guide to maintain adequate levels of supervision. We can currently take up to 25 people per session with additional tour guides.

ATV – QUAD BIKING RULES

All participants must wear a helmet.

All participants must follow the instructions of the guide.

All riders must do a test drive before they set off on the tour. In the event that the guide notices that a customer is not comfortable with the quad they will be provided with other options.

All participants must follow the tour guide in a single queue, spaced approximately 7 meters lengths apart.

All participants must take responsibility to become aware of the features of the ATV prior to the ride, including location of brakes, throttle, and ignition switch.

Absolutely no drugs or alcohol before and during the drive.

All participants must sign a disclaimer form.

We reserve the right to cancel or change tours due to inclement weather, safety reasons, insufficient bookings, or events beyond our control.

You are responsible for the equipment you use.

• Can pregnant women take part in the activities?

For safety reasons, pregnant women are not allowed to take part in any motorised activity or trekking.

• What should I bring for the activities at Bel Ombre Nature Reserve?

Comfortable walking shoes

Sunscreen and insect repellent

Sunglasses, appropriate clothing, rain jacket

Water, swimwear, towel, backpack, cap.

• What to wear?

Sports or walking shoes, jean or trousers, t-shirt, sweatshirt, hat or cap for trekking.

• How do you balance motorised activities with sustainability?

We limit our environmental impact through:

Regular maintenance of vehicles

Guide training on eco-practices

Use of designated trails only

Commitment to sustainable operations

• What sanitary measures are in place?

• Why do we use chemical product in the reserve?

Helmets are disinfected daily and worn with disposable liners.

• What can I expect to see?

Flora – Tropical forest, endemic trees like pandanus and ebony, wild orchids

Fauna – Pink pigeon, kestrel, fody, deer, wild boar, monkeys, bats

Scenery – Waterfalls (Frédérica, L’Exemple), valleys, panoramic viewpoints

• Will the new golf course have a negative impact on the reserve?

The builders have taken great care in the planning and design of the new golf course to minimize its impact on the reserve. The golf course has been designed to integrate with the natural landscape and to preserve the existing flora and fauna. We have also implemented measures to reduce water consumption, prevent soil erosion, and minimize chemical use. In fact, the planners are pursuing a GEO certification for the new golf course, which is a recognition of our commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. GEO certification is an internationally recognized ecolabel for golf facilities that meet strict standards for sustainable practices, including the protection of wildlife habitats and the reduction of energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.

• What is the conservation action (apart from planting trees in river Jacotet) that Bel Ombre Nature Reserve has taken in the reserve ?

We take our responsibility as stewards of the reserve seriously and are committed to conservation efforts beyond planting trees. We work closely with local environmental organizations and governmental bodies to develop and implement conservation initiatives, such as monitoring and protecting endangered species, restoring degraded habitats, and reducing the impact of human activities on the environment. We also offer educational programs to raise awareness of conservation issues and to promote sustainable behaviour. Our activities are designed to be a positive force for conservation in the reserve and the surrounding region.

• What is the area of the reserve?

The reserve is 1300 hectares.

• How long is the track for Quad / Buggy tour?

The track is 15 kilometers.

• How long does the quad / buggy tour takes?

The Quad / Buggy tour requires 2 hours to complete all exercises.

• Are the Quad and Buggy manual transmission?

All our vehicles are of automatic transmission. (no gear changes are required).

• Can I pay on the date of activity?

Payment should be made prior to activity date to secure booking.